Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Generic Annual Catch Limits/Accountability Measures Amendment for the Gulf of Mexico

NMFS issues this final rule to implement the Generic Annual Catch Limits/Accountability Measures Amendment (Generic ACL Amendment) to the Red Drum, Reef Fish Resources, Shrimp, and Coral and Coral Reefs Fishery Management Plans for the Gulf of Mexico (FMPs) as prepared and submitted by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council). This rule defers management of selected species to other Federal or state agencies; removes species not currently in need of Federal management from the FMPs; develops species groups; modifies framework procedures; establishes annual catch limits (ACLs); and establishes accountability measures (AMs). The intent of this final rule is to specify ACLs for species not undergoing overfishing while maintaining sustainable catch levels.